Programme Manager

QUALIFICATIONS

Character:

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health:

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Citizenship:

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015, or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

Education, Experience, Requirements etc.:

Each candidate must have a good general level of education.

Driving Licence:

Holders of the post must hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Carlow County Council as your employer must be indemnified on your insurance policy. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Carlow County Council’s Travel and Subsistence Policy.

If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

Carlow County Council reserves the right to provide a van to enable you to carry out your duties. The provision of a van will be at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Carlow County Council Library Service operates from a central headquarters in Presentation Building, Tullow Street, Carlow Town and manages and supports a network of four branch libraries in Carlow, Tullow, Muinebheag and Borris. A My Open Library service operates in Muinebheag, Borris and Tullow Libraries.

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The Post:

The position is whole-time, permanent and pensionable. A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

Duties:

The duties of the Library Assistant will be consistent with the provision of a modern public library service that is responsive to the changing needs of customers of all ages and abilities and will include the following:

Providing frontline library service to the public

Providing access to library resources in house and online

Supporting senior staff in the delivery of library services to the public

Carrying out administrative duties as required

Carrying out such other duties as may be assigned by the County Librarian

Organising and supporting the facilitation of library events, exhibitions and children’s activities

The ideal candidate will:

Have an understanding of the Council’s purpose and knowledge of public service organisation in Ireland

Have an ability to work effectively within a team to achieve a common goal, ensuring standards are adhered to and maintained

Have good interpersonal and communication skills

Have the ability to provide excellent customer service

Understand the changing environment and be capable of adapting to change in order to deliver quality services to citizens

Demonstrate good administrative experience

Have an ability to work on own initiative, in an independent environment and without constant supervision

Have an awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace

Probation:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a Local Authority is employed, the following provisions shall apply:

There shall be a period after such employment takes effect during which such person shall hold such position on probation

Such period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period

Such person will cease to hold such position at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory

The probationary period may be terminated on giving one week’s notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts

There may be assessments during the probationary period

Vetting:

Garda vetting is required for certain roles within Carlow County Council. Failure to complete a Garda vetting form on request may prevent your employment with Carlow County Council.

In the event of an unsatisfactory Garda declaration being received, Carlow County Council reserves the right not to commence employment. In the event of an existing employee changing role as a result of promotion or otherwise to a role that requires Garda Vetting and an unsatisfactory disclosure being returned, Carlow County Council reserves the right to withhold promotion and also to investigate if further sanction or disciplinary action is warranted on foot of disclosure on a case-by-case basis.

Remuneration:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale for the post of Library Assistant (Circular Letter EL 02/2026) is as follows:

€31,619 - €33,368 - €33,802 - €34,674 - €35,952 - €37,231 - €38,510 - €39,439 - €40,492 - €41,711 - €42,578 - €43,789 - €45,006 - €47,297 - €48,924 (LSI 1)

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL.02/2020, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1 January 2011 will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point.

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

Location:

Holders of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof. The successful candidate may be based in any of the library facilities across County Carlow and will be expected to travel to and from work in other library facilities, as required.

Hours of Work:

The working hours at present provide for 35 hours per week on a rota system over 6 days, Monday to Saturday. This rota will also include evening work. Hours may vary from time to time. The Council reserves the right to alter the working hours from time to time.

You may be required to work additional hours on a time off in lieu (time for time) basis on various occasions.

All hours of work will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations 2001.

Annual Leave:

The current annual leave entitlement is 27 days increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service. The granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 (as amended).

Sick Leave:

The terms of the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations 2023, as amended, will prevail.

Health and Safety:

The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Carlow County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. It is a condition of employment that the successful candidate will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

He/She shall familiarise himself/herself with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety clothing and equipment. Failure to comply with the terms of the Safety Statement may result in disciplinary action.

Training:

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post and to attend all mandatory training.

Use of Modern Technology:

The successful candidate will be required to use all equipment provided, including computers, handheld terminals, mobile telephones, electronic equipment, video or other monitoring equipment and any other new technology which may be introduced in the future.

Health:

For the purposes of satisfying the requirements as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority.

Superannuation and Retirement

Superannuation:

If you are pensionable under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 and are liable to pay Class A PRSI contributions, you would be required in respect of superannuation to make contributions at the rate of 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration plus 1.5% of full pensionable remuneration.

You are required in respect of spouses’ and children’s pension benefit to contribute at the rate of 1.5% of full pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of schemes made under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998. Maximum retirement age is 70.

If the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 applies to your employment, 65 is the minimum age at which your pension may be paid. As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation you will not be required to retire on grounds of age.

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

You may also be required to pay Spouses and Children/Widows and Orphans contributions at the rate of 1.5% of gross pay. Maximum retirement age is 70.

Persons who become pensionable staff of a local authority for the first time on or after 1 January 2013 are assigned to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme with effect from the date of appointment. The scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement gratuity, death gratuity and survivors benefits.

If you are pensionable under the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, you are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution. You are required to pay contributions as follows:

3% of gross remuneration

3.5% of net pensionable remuneration

The minimum age at which you may retire is aligned with the State Contributory Pension age (currently 66, rising to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028). The maximum retirement age is 70.

To qualify for a pension the successful candidate must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority.

You are reminded that under this agreement the Council may refer you to a medical advisor at any time to determine fitness for carrying out the duties to which you have been assigned.

Further information is available from the Human Resources Department.

Pension Accrual:

A 40-year limit on total service that can be counted towards pension where a person has been a member of more than one existing public service pension scheme would apply. This 40-year limit, which is provided for in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, came into effect on 28 July 2012.

This may have implications for any appointee who has acquired pension rights in a previous public service employment.

Pension Abatement:

If the appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and is in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service, or where a Civil/Public Service pension comes into payment during his/her re-employment, that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER):

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees under that Scheme are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

Department of Health and Children Circular 7/2010:

The Department of Health Circular 7/2010 dated 1 November 2010 introduced a Targeted Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) Scheme and Voluntary Redundancy Schemes (VRS).

It is a condition of the VER scheme that persons availing of the scheme will not be eligible for re-employment in the public health sector or in the wider Public Service or in a body wholly or mainly funded from public moneys.

The same prohibition on re-employment applies under the VRS, except that the prohibition is for a period of 7 years.

People who availed of the VER are not eligible to compete in this competition.

People who availed of the VRS scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility).

Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform letter dated 28 June 2012 introduced, with effect from 1 June 2012, a Collective Agreement relating to ex-gratia redundancy payments to Public Servants.

It is a condition of the Collective Agreement that persons availing of the agreement will not be eligible for re-employment in the public service by any public service body for a period of 2 years from termination of employment.

People who availed of this scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility).

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012

New members joining the Public Sector on or after 1 January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.

The Single Scheme applies to all pensionable first-time entrants to the Public Service as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks.

In each pay period an amount equivalent to:

3.5% of net pensionable remuneration

Plus 3% of pensionable remuneration

will be deducted as the member’s contribution under the Scheme. This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme.

Persons who commenced Public Sector Employment prior to 1 January 2013

Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of:

1.5% of pensionable remuneration

Plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration

Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

Retirement:

Appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 70 years of age.

Retirement age is initially set at 66 years. This will rise in step with statutory changes in the State Pension Contributory age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028. Compulsory retirement age will be 70.

Data Protection

Basis for Processing your Personal Information:

The basis for processing your personal data is to progress your application for the position you have applied for with Carlow County Council under the Terms of the Employment (Information) Act 1994 and Human Resources policies and procedures.

Personal data sought for the purpose of recruitment will include:

Your name

Your contact details including email address and mobile phone number

Particulars of education

Details regarding your record of employment

Confirmation if you require an employment permit, visa or work authorisation

Sharing of Information:

Outside of the relevant recruitment team, the information provided in your application form will only be shared for progressing the competition for which you have applied, with a designated shortlisting and/or interview board.

If, following the competition, you are placed on a panel and offered a position, the information provided in your application form will form part of your Personnel File.

Storage Period:

Your application will be retained for one year from the date a panel for this position is formed. In exceptional circumstances panels can be extended for an additional year and your personal data will be kept until the extension has expired.

Applications that are unsuccessful at interview stage will be retained for one year. Applications that are not progressed to interview stage will be destroyed post competition.

If you do not furnish the personal data requested, Carlow County Council will not be able to progress your application form for the competition.

When your application is received, Carlow County Council creates a record in your name which contains much of the personal information you have supplied. This personal record is used solely in processing your candidature.

Such information held is subject to the rights and obligations set out in the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 and will be destroyed following the expiry of any panel put in place in respect of this competition.